18 Tank, Assault Amphibious Vehicle, and Amphibious Combat Vehicle
Marine Corps OccFld 18 is the mounted assault and amphibious-vehicle lane on the enlisted side of the force. It is smaller than infantry or artillery, but it matters to Marines who want a combat-arms identity tied to vehicles, crews, and mechanized movement.
The public recruiter side still uses older amphibious-assault-vehicle language in places, while the current field also covers the Amphibious Combat Vehicle shift. This hub keeps both ideas in view without pretending the transition erased the older community overnight.
The field sits between pure infantry foot mobility and pure maintenance work. Marines here need to think about crew drills, vehicle readiness, gunnery, embark and debark actions, and the pace of mounted movement under combat conditions. That makes 18 a good fit for Marines who want combat-arms culture with a hard vehicle component instead of a rifle-company baseline alone.
At a Glance
| Area | What to know |
|---|---|
| Field purpose | Support mechanized assaults and amphibious operations through vehicle crews and mounted combat readiness |
| Representative roles | 1833 Assault Amphibious Vehicle Crewmember and 1834 Amphibious Combat Vehicle Crew Marine |
| Screening themes | Combat-arms readiness, crew discipline, vehicle awareness, and comfort in field conditions |
| Training anchor | Boot Camp, Marine Combat Training, and amphibious-vehicle schoolhouse training before unit-level repetition |
| Reserve note | Reserve access depends heavily on whether a nearby unit actually carries this vehicle community |
Which Role Fits You?
Choose 1833 Assault Amphibious Vehicle Crewmember if you drive a 30-ton amtrac into the surf zone, open the ramp, and swim a rifle platoon ashore.
Choose 1834 Amphibious Combat Vehicle Crew Marine if the aav7a1 served the marine corps for decades.
Common Entry Requirements
All enlisted Marines in this occupational field enlist with a minimum AFQT of 31, a high school diploma, U.S. citizenship, and MEPS medical clearance. Boot Camp is the first training gate: 13 weeks at MCRD San Diego or Parris Island. After graduation, Marines complete Marine Combat Training or the Infantry Training Battalion before attending their MOS-specific school. See each role’s profile below for specific ASVAB line scores, training details, and additional requirements.
Career Field Directory
- 1833 Assault Amphibious Vehicle Crewmember : You drive a 30-ton amtrac into the surf zone, open the ramp, and swim a rifle platoon ashore
- 1834 Amphibious Combat Vehicle Crew Marine : The AAV7A1 served the Marine Corps for decades
Related Resources
Start with the ASVAB guide and PiCAT guide if you want to keep combat-arms options open. Then compare 03 Infantry and 08 Field Artillery if you are choosing between mounted combat, foot-mobile combat, and fires.